After Bar Brawl, British Parliament Moves To Limit Members' Drinks

When Parliament is in session, some may be overdoing it.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
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Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

When Parliament is in session, some may be overdoing it.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Getting into a fight at one of the four bars within the borders of the British Parliament's grounds not only brought House of Commons member Eric Joyce (a Labour MP) unwanted notoriety, it has also led to orders that bartenders and event staff start cutting off obviously intoxicated lawmakers.

Which, of course, would seem like something they already should have known they should do.

"Commons staff are being told to cut down on topping up MPs' glasses at receptions in an effort to encourage 'responsible alcohol use.' They are also to get more training on how to refuse to serve MPs considered to have had too much to drink."

The BBC says that for decades members of Parliament been drinking their way "through Westminster life in the convivial comfort of its numerous saloons. The Houses of Parliament has the feel of a cruise ship, with different watering holes for its various passengers branching off the carpeted corridors."

And there has been "many a drunken skirmish over the years."

Joyce was fined nearly $5,000 and banned from pubs for three months after the February brawl. He reportedly head-butted some other members after loudly declaring there were "too many" Tories in the bar, the BBC says.